Coastguard and RNLI search for teenager after threat to jump off Saltburn Pier as part of NekNomination craze

A COASTGUARD team and RNLI crew were sent out tonight to search for teenager threatening to jump from Saltburn Pier - and it later emerged he was involved in the NekNomination craze sweeping the internet.

Humber Coastguard was called by Cleveland Police at just after 5pm following reports that the youngster was threatening to jump into the rough seas from the pier.

When the teams on scene could not find the teenager, further investigations revealed that he was at home.

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According to a statement released tonight by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, he had posted his intention to jump from the pier on social media after taking part in a game of NekNominate this afternoon.

The craze involves people nominating others through social media to down a drink, usually alcoholic, while carrying out a dare.

Two deaths have been linked to the game in Ireland.

Humber Coastguard Watch Manager Bev Allen said: "The craze of NekNominate is spreading virally through Facebook but before accepting your mission please just stop and think about what you are doing.

"If you have been drinking, your judgement will be impaired and you will be more likely to be overcome by the cold, dark sea. Your acceptance of the dare is highly likely to be life threatening.

"Alcohol is a contributory factor in a significant number of coastal drownings every year. Alcohol and sea water really don’t mix."

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